Oregon Trail migrations (1836–1869)

1. Whitman–Spalding party brings wagons west

   Sep 12, 1836Labels: Marcus Whitman, Narcissa Whitman, Wagon

   • HistoryLink

2. The “Great Migration” dramatically increases emigration

   Jan 1, 1843Labels: Great Migration, Wagon trains

   • Great Plains Enc

3. Champoeg vote creates Oregon’s provisional government

   May 2, 1843Labels: Champoeg vote, Willamette Valley

   • Oregon Encyclopedia
   • Oregon Docs

4. Meek Cutoff opens as a risky “shortcut”

   Sep 1, 1845Labels: Meek Cutoff, Stephen Meek

   • Meek Cutoff

5. Barlow Road creates a wagon route past Mount Hood

   Jan 1, 1846Labels: Barlow Road, Mount Hood

   • Oregon Enc
   • NPS

6. Oregon Treaty fixes U.S.–British boundary at 49th parallel

   Jun 15, 1846Labels: Oregon Treaty, United Kingdom

   • Oregon Enc
   • BC Legislature

7. Whitman killings spark conflict and federal attention

   Nov 29, 1847Labels: Whitman massacre, Cayuse War

   • Whitman Massacre

8. Fort Kearny established as an Oregon Trail way station

   Apr 1, 1848Labels: Fort Kearny, U S

   • Fort Kearny
   • Nebraska Markers

9. Congress creates Oregon Territory

   Aug 14, 1848Labels: Oregon Territory, U S

   • LOC
   • Oregon Bill

10. California gold rush intensifies overland travel and competition

    Jan 1, 1849Labels: California Gold, Overland routes

    • Great Plains Enc

11. Donation Land Claim Act accelerates Oregon settlement

    Sep 27, 1850Labels: Donation Land, U S

    • Oregon Archives
    • Donation Act

12. Oregon becomes the 33rd U.S. state

    Feb 14, 1859Labels: Oregon statehood, U S

    • House Divided
    • Oregon Legislature

13. Golden Spike completes the first transcontinental railroad

    May 10, 1869Labels: Golden Spike, Transcontinental Railroad

    • Library Congress
    • History com